Nov 20, 2024 Story by: Editor
The U.S. Justice Department is seeking extensive records concerning the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, a Black woman, by a sheriff’s deputy in her Springfield, Illinois, home. This move is part of a broader investigation into how local authorities interact with Black residents and individuals with behavioral disabilities.
In a letter dated Thursday, the Justice Department outlined numerous demands to the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Paula Crouch responded on Friday, stating, “The Sheriff’s Office, along with involved county agencies, has engaged in discussions and pledged full cooperation with the Department of Justice in its review.”
Massey, 36, was killed in July when deputies responded to a call about a potential prowler at her residence. During the confrontation, she was shot three times. Sean Grayson, a white deputy, was subsequently terminated from his position and is now facing murder and other criminal charges. Grayson has entered a not-guilty plea.
The Justice Department’s investigation aims to determine if the sheriff’s office employs effective strategies for responding to individuals in behavioral health crises, among other concerns. “The incident raises serious concerns about … interactions with Black people and people with behavioral health disabilities,” the department stated.
Andy Van Meter, chairman of the Sangamon County Board, welcomed the investigation as a means to reinforce community trust. “The Justice Department’s review is an important step in strengthening the public’s trust in the sheriff’s office,” he remarked. Source: AP News
